Head-to-Head Comparison
Tufts University vs Union College
- Tufts Wins
- 22
- Tied
- 16
- Union Wins
- 11
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Union College offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Tufts University achieves a higher graduation rate (93% vs 83%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $39,998 compared to Union College's $34,561 for in-state paths. Students who choose Union College benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $88,604 at ten years.
49 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Tufts
- Higher grad rate: 93% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $16,250, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 11% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
Union
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $88,604 ten years after enrollment, 6% more than Tufts University
- Lower cost: Average net price of $34,561, roughly $5,437 a year less
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Tufts graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (20% of degrees); Union in Social Sciences (21%). If you already know the field you want, the choice is mostly made for you.
Based on each school's share of degrees by field (College Scorecard). It shows where graduates actually concentrate, not the only path a school offers.
Which School Fits You?
Pick Union College over Tufts University. Median earnings of $88,604 ten years after enrollment vs $83,214.
Pick Union College over Tufts University. Net price $34,561 vs $39,998.
Pick Tufts University over Union College. 93% completion rate vs 83%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Tufts University and Union College are close on paper, but Tufts University wins the head-to-head, leading on 3 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Tufts University is the harder admit. It takes 11% of applicants, while Union College takes 44%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,513 to 1,395.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Tufts University sets the higher bar. The less selective school is easier to get into, which can work in your favor rather than against it.
What it costs
On price, Union College comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $34,561, about $5,437 a year below Tufts University's $39,998. Graduates of Tufts University also borrow less: median debt of $16,250, against $25,337.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $21,748 before any change in aid. Choosing Union College leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Union College graduates report median earnings of $88,604, compared with $83,214 at Tufts University. That is a 6% advantage. Set against borrowing, Tufts University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.2x to 0.29x.
So what: An earnings gap of 6% this early in a career tends to widen, since raises build on the higher base. Of the measures on this page, this one carries the most financial weight.
Finishing the degree
Tufts University graduates a larger share of its students, 93% versus 83%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 11% is a risk measure. Students at the school with the lower rate face higher odds of leaving with debt and no degree, the most expensive outcome in higher education.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick Union College to keep costs and debt down.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 5 of 6 core signals used here; where one school is missing a figure, that row is left out of the comparison rather than estimated.
Counterintuitive Insights
Their academic identities diverge. Tufts University concentrates enrollment in Computer Science & IT, while Union College leans toward Biology & Biomedical. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $39,998 runs well above Union College's $34,561.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Tufts University's enrollment of 7,061 far exceeds Union College's 2,046.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $25,337, against $16,250 at Tufts University.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Union offers a binding Early Decision round that can lift your odds; Tufts does not, so there is no early-commitment lever to pull there.
Source: each school's published Common Data Set, via collegedata.fyi.
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 1 metrics
Cost & Financial Aid 9 metrics
Academics 5 metrics
Student Body 6 metrics
Outcomes 6 metrics
Social Mobility (Chetty) 4 metrics
Social Capital 3 metrics
Research (Times HE) 4 metrics
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
Tufts University
Medford, MA · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 11%, Tufts University attracts students who are ready to engage in a vibrant academic community. This school is ideal for those passionate about social sciences, engineering, biology and biomedical fields, computer science and IT, or the visual and performing arts. What stands out is the commitment to a well-rounded education that encourages exploration and interdisciplinary study, making it a great fit for curious minds eager to make an impact.
After graduation, students can expect a solid earning potential, with a 10-year median salary of $83,214. This figure highlights the strong return on investment for graduates. With a graduation rate of 93%, it's clear that students not only thrive academically but also transition successfully into their careers. While the Pell Grant rate is at 12%, indicating that a smaller percentage of students come from low-income backgrounds, those who do tend to find pathways to upward mobility in their professional lives.
Looking at the practical side, the net price of attending Tufts is around $39,998 after aid, which is significant but manageable for many. Graduates carry a median debt of $16,250, a figure that suggests a thoughtful balance between investment in education and financial responsibility. Students who tend to thrive here are those who are driven, engaged, and ready to take advantage of the diverse opportunities available on campus and beyond.
Union College
Schenectady, NY · Private nonprofit
Union College is a solid choice for students interested in a diverse range of studies, particularly in social sciences, engineering, biology, and psychology. With an enrollment of about 2,046 students and an acceptance rate of 44%, it strikes a balance between being accessible and maintaining a close-knit community. The graduation rate of 83% reflects a supportive environment where students tend to thrive and complete their degrees.
When it comes to what happens after graduation, students from Union College can expect a median earning of $88,604 within ten years of finishing their degree. This level of earning power suggests that graduates are well-prepared for the job market, with many finding roles that allow them to grow both personally and professionally. The affordability factor also plays a role in this, as financial burdens are important to consider when thinking about long-term success.
The financial bottom line shows a net price of $34,561 after aid, which is manageable compared to the potential earnings. With a median debt of $25,337, students can graduate with a reasonable financial outlook, especially relative to their earning potential. Those who tend to thrive at Union are likely to be motivated, engaged, and ready to take on the academic rigor of the programs offered, all while enjoying the vibrant community atmosphere in Schenectady.
Rankings They Appear On
Union College is featured on the Highest-Paying Colleges for Psychology ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Both schools share Sociology as their top enrolled program field, comprising 20% of Tufts's student body and 21% of Union's.
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Tufts) and Mechanical Engineer, Civil Engineer, Electrical Engineer (for Union).
The two schools feed different job markets. Tufts University is strongest in Computer Science & IT, while Union College concentrates in Humanities. Those concentrations determine which recruiters show up on campus and where alumni cluster by industry. Match the school's program strengths to the field you plan to enter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Tufts University or Union College?
Tufts University is harder to get into, admitting 11% of applicants compared with 44% at Union College.
Which is more affordable, Tufts University or Union College?
Union College is more affordable, with an average net price of $34,561 after aid versus $39,998 at Tufts University.
Do Tufts University or Union College graduates earn more?
Union College graduates earn more: median earnings of $88,604 ten years after enrollment, versus $83,214 at Tufts University.
Which has a better graduation rate, Tufts University or Union College?
Tufts University has the higher graduation rate, 93% versus 83%.
Should you choose Tufts University or Union College?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Union College if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Tufts University if you want the more selective, higher-stats peer group. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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